5 Most Common Eye Diseases and How Can You Prevent Them

Aging, straining and infections are among the major causes of serious problems with the eyes. We are all naturally concerned about them, but few of us actually take effective measures to prevent them.

Don’t put your eyesight at risk, but learn about the most common eye diseases and how to stay away from them.

1. Conjunctivitis

This is perhaps the most common of all eye diseases. Conjunctivitis is an infection of the outer membrane of the eyeball. It can be caused by a virus, bacteria or an allergy.

The eyes become pink or sometimes even red, watery and itchy.

Solution

Your doctor will diagnose the precise cause of the infection and prescribe the most effective treatment.

Good hygiene is the best way to prevent this condition. Wash your hands regularly and try not to touch your eyes. Don’t share towels or cosmetics with other people.

2. Refractive Errors

Nearsightedness (objects further away appearing blurred) and farsightedness (objects close by are not seen as clearly as those further away) are among the most common refractive errors.

They are typically associated with aging as adults over the age of 35 are more likely to get them. Still, they can occur in children and younger people too.

Solution

Here is no foolproof way to prevent these vision problems, but if you protect your eyes from the sunlight and do exercises like blinking daily, you may be able to lower your risk.

With vitamins and minerals, you can protect your vision effectively as well.

3. Glaucoma

This disease is the result of damage to the nerve which connects the eye to the brain. It affects primarily people over the age of 40. The condition usually progresses gradually and has no notable symptoms.

Glaucoma cannot be cured, but it can be managed to prevent blindness.

Solution

How can you avoid this condition? Exercising and wearing eye protection during work, sports and projects can help to lower the risk.

You should also get regular eye exams.

4. Cataracts

This eye disease affects hundreds of thousands of people every year. It is characterized by clouding of the clear eye lens. The result is blurred vision.

This condition is associated with old age, but younger adults may suffer from it too.

Solution

Since cataract is caused by aging and damage to the eye, you should take a full set of measures for protection from wearing sunglasses to getting eye exams regularly.

A healthy diet and lifestyle without tobacco and alcohol will reduce your risk further.

5. Amblyopia

Also known as lazy eye, this condition is associated with decreased vision. It occurs in children as the result of abnormal development of the vision.

When the neuro paths between the brain and the eye don’t get proper stimulation, one eye becomes more extensively used than the other.

Solution

There is currently no special prevention method for amblyopia. However, young children under the age of three should get an eye exam which will help to spot and treat this problem early on.

With proper care and protection plus regular exams you can lower your risk of the most common eye diseases considerably.